Ask The Experts: Christine Fowler-Mack

Portfolio officer for Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Q: Why is it important for students to know and actively engage in their learning styles?

A: “We want students to be situationally aware, so as they grow, they know how to bring their strengths to any situation,” says Christine Fowler-Mack, portfolio officer for Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “For our auditory learners, you might not be able to hear the information right there, but you teach that person to talk to yourself in your head as you read. If they learn better in teams, they seek out partnerships. If they work better alone, they will adapt and ask the group for 10 minutes to process. They learn about themselves, recognize the strengths of others and are able to access what they need for deeper learning. By understanding their learning styles and knowing how to leverage their strengths, [students] will engage more deeply.”